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Company Sergeant Major John Osborn, Winnipeg Grenadiers, who would posthumously win Hong Kong's only Victoria Cross. In pre-war Depression days, 'many times he went out and scrubbed floors to get a little money for his family.' - AN19950061-006
Company Sergeant-Major John Osborn, Winnipeg Grenadiers, who would posthumously win Hong Kong's only Victoria Cross. In pre-war Depression days, "many times he went out and scrubbed floors to get a little money for his family."

Hong Kong, December 1941

It seemed unlikely that the Pacific Ocean British colony of Hong Kong, guarded by only four battalions at the outbreak of war, could be held if the Japanese chose to mount a serious attack. Nevertheless, military leaders in London convinced themselves that the Japanese might be scared off by a show of force. They asked Canada for help. Prime Minister Mackenzie King, usually cautious but not this time, agreed. For this duty, the army staff selected the Royal Rifles of Canada, a bilingual battalion from Quebec City, and the Winnipeg Grenadiers who had served respectively in Newfoundland and Jamaica. Neither unit was adequately trained.

These units arrived in Hong Kong on November 16, 1941. The Japanese attack began three weeks later. Not even the best troops could have stopped the more numerous and better-prepared Japanese troops. Within ten days the Japanese 38th Division, helped by extra artillery and infantry, overran the defences on the mainland portion of the colony. On December 18, the Japanese landed on Hong Kong island itself. The defenders fought back as best they could, grimly holding onto their positions and counterattacking repeatedly. The Canadian commander, Brigadier J.K. Lawson, was killed fighting with a pistol in each hand when his headquarters was overrun on December 19. Company Sergeant Major John Osborn of the Grenadiers died when he threw himself on a Japanese hand grenade to save his comrades. His bravery was recognized with the Victoria Cross.

Hong Kong surrendered on Christmas Day 1941. Of the 1,975 Canadians, 290 were killed and 493 wounded. A further 260 died in the awful conditions of prison camps in Hong Kong and Japan ( see Canadian Prisoners of the Axis Powers ).

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